By Vernon Robison

Moapa Valley Progress

Moapa Valley music students participated in the CCSD Honors Orchestra program which culminated Saturday in a concert at Ham Concert Hall in Las Vegas. Pictured here l to r are MVHS sophomore Cymoni Cooper, MVHS freshman Trent Robison and Mack Lyon 8th grader Riley Fulmer. Not pictured is Mack Lyon 8th grader Andrew Beckstrand. Photo by Vernon Robison.

Four Moapa Valley students participated in the 2011 Clark County School District Honors Orchestra program last weekend. Moapa Valley High School students Cymoni Cooper (viola) and Trent Robison (violin); as well as Mack Lyon Middle School students Riley Fulmer (cello) and Andrew Beckstrand (cello); were selected to be members of the prestigious Honors Orchestra.

All four students, along with hundreds of other throughout the district, went through a rigorous district-wide audition process in early October. Those selected were divided into three age level ensembles including a grade 7-8 orchestra, a 9-10 grade orchestra and a 11-12 grade orchestra.

Over the past month, the students have experienced a grueling rehearsal schedule, involving frequent travel to Las Vegas and late evening hours. Last week, in the final days of the program, the students logged over 14 hours of intense rehearsals.

These rehearsals had a final payoff in a concert performance which was held at the Artemus Ham Concert Hall on Saturday, November 19.

“It is remarkable how much ground these young students are able to cover in such a short period of time,” said Lyon Middle School orchestra teacher Walter White. “It is nothing short of a miracle.”